Stones against tourists from the capital.

Two meals for the price of one, souvenirs for a Dollar: In Cancun restaurants and hotels are fighting desperately to tourists. The fear of pig influenza has fatal consequences for Mexico's tourism industry - and even hostility towards day-trippers from the capital.

 

Acapulco - It's anything and drüber in the Mexican tourism industry: While in Acapulco stones at cars from major cities to fly to the supposed virus makers distribute, begging the hotel manager of Cancun just to accommodate guests for their empty houses. The excitement shows how the country dependent on tourism - and how dramatic the consequences of influenza are pigs.

Just over a week, the country has an outbreak of epidemic acknowledged. Since the tourism industry is experiencing a devastating collapse, as Finance Minister Agustín Carstens admitted. Nevertheless shifted Tourism Minister Rodolfo Elizondo a planned PR campaign for the time being - it is now after the end of the crisis started. It was now time is not the best time to for Mexico as a holiday destination to advertise.

The Mexican resorts are experiencing the crisis very differently: Buffeted is particularly true Topziel Cancun, which is otherwise mainly foreigners respond. But now stay away in droves. Around 40 percent utilization is already below what was usual, accused the president of the Hoteliers Association, Rodrigo de la Pena. Estimated 2.4 million U.S. dollars (1.8 million euros), the city alone during the first weeks Flu lost.

Cancun: 70 percent of the reservation is canceled

They do all the businessmen to tourists courtship of restaurants offer two meals for the price of one, with shops selling handmade art dolls or chains suddenly for a dollar. "It is absolutely necessary that our hotels have guests," says de la Pena. It was "in a serious financial crisis".

And it should get worse: In the past few days were about 70 percent of reservations have been canceled for Cancun, says the Tourism Ministry. Already this week, the utilization is at 45 per cent fall.

A 46-percent drop reported the Pacific coastal town of Huatulco. Probably the heaviest blow but journeys Mexico City, where an estimated 85 percent of vacant hotel rooms.

In addition, at least 64 cruise ships less than planned in Mexican ports, 134,000 additional tourists will be missing. Even airlines such as Continental Airlines, the country does not control anymore.

Quite different from the situation in Acapulco: While breaking even here the number of visitors, but the city appears to be not so unhappy to be. The reason is obvious: Acapulco is just five hours by car from Mexico City away, and the main cities you can see now much better go than come.

Gasoline boycotts against major cities

Finally, it is Mexico City, where the majority of flu cases have occurred. "Anyone who has symptoms should not think: 'If I go to Acapulco, where the weather is so beautiful, it is even better.'" Fresh Air, tequila and disco visits were not the right therapy, said Mayor Anorve Manual. "We ask these people, therefore, responsible to be aware and wegzubleiben." Already bars and restaurants were closed and boat tours canceled, only the hotel had opened.

When warnings have it, some residents of Acapulco, however, not stop: At least four cars with the flag of Mexico City had been with stones as they had reached Acapulco, said the highway police.

Petrol station workers reported that gasoline boycotts against major cities. "We can be contagious and should stay away," says Miriam Tankwartin around Arizmendi. "The city should impose a quarantine and no more rauslassen." Who is still up to Acapulco creates, must be based on a frosty reception lie in wait. Employees of a beach restaurant they would have ridiculed as they are compatible with Bikini on the respirator and was accused Martha Rubio, vacationers and assured: "I do not let the mockery of me."

And with the tourists beat back cynicism: Borrowing from the famous T-shirt slogan: "A friend of mine was in Mexico, and all I got is this lousy T-shirt", it says now: ". .. and all I got is the flu pig! "